There are many reasons to visit Durango . Some travelers make their way to this part of southwest Colorado for the outdoor adventures—the whitewater rafting, the skiing, the hiking and stargazing in nearby Mesa Verde National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Dark Sky Park. Others come for the history. The Strater Hotel in downtown Durango has welcomed guests since 1887, and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has carried passengers for more than 140 years. While you don’t have to stay in the hotel to get the full Durango experience, you don’t want to miss the train, one of the most scenic rail journeys in the American West (and a National Historic Landmark). “Each ride feels like stepping back in time to the golden age of railroading,” says Carrie Whitley, sales director for the railroad. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad operates between Durango and Silverton , traversing the San Juan National Forest and running along the Animas River.…